Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is an incomplete RNA virus that requires the helper function of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope proteins (HBSAg) to replicate. The presence of HDV antibodies indicates exposure to HDV, but does not distinguish acute or chronic HDV infection. Typically the disappearance of HDV antibodies is indicative of resolution of infection.
Frozen (preferred) - 30 days
Refrigerated - 7 days
Ambient - 4 days
Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Negative